She stiffened, “You know perfectly well, Mr. Langdon, spring here in Washington can be absolutely treacherous with enough dampness and sickness to bring down even a stubborn Texas Congressman .”
“What will the weather be like in Bolivia, Seth?” Molly asked. She had been unusually quiet since he had told them of his coming mission in South America, but Seth had attributed it to her shocking experience on the float this afternoon. Obviously, she had not mentioned to her parents.
“Oh, from what I am able to discover, the eastern part of the country is low, hot and tropical, but where I will be going, Bill Murray tells me, is semiarid and not unpleasant.”
“Can’t see living in any foreign country, for my part,” Henry Dalworth said.
“Daddy, I’m sure Seth knows what he’s doing. Besides, I think it will be a grand adventure. Can I go with you, Seth?”
“Don’t rightly know about the adventure part,” Seth said. “But, it has possibilities for something different in my life.”
“You ignored my question,” she accused.
He smiled. “Hey, you would be bully company, but, you know—”
She made a face. “Don’t tell me. It wouldn’t look right, would it, mother?”
Bessie Mae looked up, “Why don’t you ask that question of your father? He is sitting right there.”
She looked eagerly at her father, “Daddy?”
“I repeat, not for me. The good old U.S. of A. suits me right down to the ground. The answer is no, not by a long shot, Missy.” He turned to Seth. “How does your wife cotton to this trip to Bolivia?”
1 Seth felt embarrassment for his blunder. Molly looked quickly at Seth. Before either of them could say anything, Bessie Mae spoke up softly, “Henry, don’t be so thoughtless.”
“What? Why am I thoughtless?” Then he remembered. He looked stricken, “Ah—yes, well—yes. Damn! Forgive me my boy. I clean forgot about your recent loss.”
“It is all right, Henry. It has been seven months now—seems another lifetime. Going to South America for Bill Murray just looks like a chance to get started again. That’s all. I simply realized that my life in Pawhuska, as I knew it, is over. It is time to move on. I closed down my practice, sold off everything, including the house, and because of Elizabeth’s wish, brought Ginny back here for school.”
“Then you are really committed?” Bessie Mae asked.
“Yep, I promised Bill Murray and I am going to see him in just a little while to get final instructions.”
“We are truly going to miss you, Seth,” Bessie Mae said.
“Yes, we will, “echoed Molly softly. Raising her voice, she added, “And, you darn well better write to us, you hear, Mr. Cane?”
“Of course, we expect you to be our guest at the Capitol tomorrow for the Inauguration,” Bessie Mae said.
Seth thanked her for the invitation, saying that he would really like to be there when Governor Wilson was sworn in, but that he would be leaving for New York tomorrow and he must go by the Larimers to say good bye to Ginny. Turning to Molly, “If it won’t be too much of a burden, I’d appreciate your looking in on Ginny, now and then. She will be stuck over there with those two old people and might enjoy going out occasionally with a person nearer her own age.”
Molly laughed. Uncurling her legs from beneath her, she stood up from the sofa. “Well, thank you, Seth, for assuming I am close in age to your fifteen year old daughter.”
“You know what I meant,” Seth said.
“Of course, I am teasing you. I should like very much to get to know Ginny better. I will call on her real soon.”
Seth looked at the Seth Thomas clock over the mantle.
“Well, folks, this has been a real treat seeing you all, and Bessie Mae, that was the best dinner that I’ve had since leaving Texas. Now, as much as I hate to say it, I do have to go. I’m due at the Murrays shortly, and I’ve got to find a hotel for tonight.”
“You’ll do nothing of the sort,” Bessie Mae said, putting aside her knitting and standing up. “You will stay here with us.”
“Thanks, but I couldn’t put you folks out.”
“Won’t be any spare hotel rooms in this town tonight, my boy,” Henry Dalworth said.
“Besides, “Bessie Mae said, “I’ve already had Olivia take your bag up to one of our spare bedrooms, the one across from Molly.”
Seth raised his hands in surrender. “OK, I know when I am outnumbered. Thanks, Bessie Mae.”
“You don’t have to thank me, Seth. We think of you like family.”
Molly ran her arm through his. “Come along, Counselor, I’ll show you to your room so when you come back tonight, you won’t stumble into mine by accident.”
“Molly Langdon! What a thing to say,” Bessie Mae said with a shake of her head.
“I said, accidentally, Mother,” she retorted over her shoulder as she steered Seth toward the door.
“Seth, wait!” Henry Dalworth said. “Do you have time to accompany me down to the New Willard before you meet Bill? It will be pretty lively down there tonight and you will probably see some of your friends from the convention.”
Seth looked at the clock again and shook his head. “Thanks, Henry. Wish I could but I’m late now.”
“It’s not the Shoreham,” Molly said, opening the door and turning on the electric lights of his room. “But it will beat any hotel room you might be lucky enough to find tonight.”
“It will do nicely,” he replied and turned to go back down stairs.
“Seth, I know what you and Alan did for me at the parade today.”
“Anyone watching that hoodlum grabbing you like that would have done the same.”
“Not true. Lots of people saw what he was doing and did nothing to help. I am most grateful for what you two did and for not mentioning it to Mother and Father tonight.”
“I reckoned that you had not told them.”
“Yes, they would have blown their tops and caused all kinds of public ruckus. You don’t know them.”
“Well, Alan and I were not your real heroes. There was that brave little Boy Scout who deserves most of the credit.”
She nodded, smiling. “Of course, my little white knight. I couldn’t see what he did to dispose of my attacker so quickly, but I am most indebted to him. I wonder who he was?”
Back down stairs, Seth asked Henry Dalworth permission to use his phone to call a cab company. To his surprise, they promised to send one out. He then gave the telephone operator the number he had found for Annaliese in the directory. He let it ring six times. There was no answer.
6
SETH HAD BEEN UNABLE TO reach Annaliese, because she was dining with Lieutenant Paul Dohrman, the Assistant German Naval Attache’.
“Really, Paul, the Crystal Room at the New Willard! I am most impressed. How did you ever get a reservation on this night of all nights?”
The Lieutenant ran his forefinger across his thin blond moustache in an exaggerated stage gesture. “Have you not realized, Miss Faver, with whom you are dining?”
“Apparently not, sir. Please enlighten me.”
“Just a person of singular importance, who with no difficulty is able to secure reservations at exclusive dining establishments, such as where we sit, while personages of greater importance are turned away.”
“I take it the Ambassador had these reservations and couldn’t make it, Mr. Person of singular importance.”
“Do you never accept anything at face value, Annaliese?”
“I’m a reporter. You don’t last long in this town if you accept things at face value, especially if it comes from some handsome embassy smoothy. Never mind. What’s the matter with Ambassador von Bernstorff?” Count Johann von Bernstorff had been instrumental in her promotion to bureau chief of the Broo
klyn Tagblatt, here in Washington.
“He is plagued with a—how do you say Schnupfen in this language?”
“Try head cold.”
“Just so, a head cold. I was summoned to his bedroom where he paced back and forth with a nose red as a cherry and eyes all watery. He asked if I could use his reservations for two here at the New Willard. While I, naturally, expressed my deep sympathy for his unfortunate condition, I was nevertheless elated at the idea of inviting you here.”
“Please convey my appreciation and sympathy to his Excellency. I must say the lamb and the wine were delicious.” She pulled the tiny lavaliere watch that was pinned to her left shoulder down on its silver chain and frowned at the time shown. “As much as I regret to say it, Paul, it is well past nine and I must ask you to deliver me back to my office.”
“Office?” He looked dismayed. “Surely not tonight?”
“I’m afraid so.”
“But—I had planned—rather hoped—we might go dancing.”
“Dancing? Tonight? Where on earth?”
“Oh at any of the best hotels.”
“Yes and unless the Ambassador had prior reservations at one of them, they will all be booked solid because of the inauguration doings.”
“Oh, even better, I have purchased several of the newest records for my Victrola and I envisioned you and I—”
“Paul, I—”
“I have, also, some exquisite old French Cognac, a perfect way to top the evening off,” he said, reaching for her hand.
“Oh yes,” she said, drawing back her hand. “I can guess what you have in mind to top the evening off.”
“Liebchen, how long are you going to keep me waiting?”
She stared at him a moment before saying, “First off Paul, I am not your liebchen. Second, tomorrow is just about the biggest news day in this country. Third, right now I cannot handle an affair. My job is too important to me. I’m just getting a hold on it and you won’t believe what incompetence I have to put up with from that idiot Menglehoffer. Incredibly, he botched coverage of the suffragette parade today. I don’t know what happened. He came back to the office with no story and his nose all bloody. I don’t know what I am going to do about him.”
“I do not give a damn about Menglehoffer! Liese, I am concerned about us. Will you not give me some hope? I want—no, I need you so desperately.” His voice had risen, causing Annaliese to look quickly around the room to see if anyone had overheard.
She whispered, “For gods sake, Paul, get that tormented, love-sick expression off your face and keep your voice down.” Seeing the hurt in his eyes, she added more gently, “Paul, look at me. I am sorry. It is just as I explained to you.” She reached over and laid her hand upon his. “But, please, don’t stop trying. Maybe someday, when my life gets a bit less complicated—and I successfully have gotten this job at the paper in hand, well—”
“Good evening, Lieutenant Dohrman. Are you enjoying your supper?” The intruding voice was richly Teutonic, with a shading of harshness on the last syllables. Annaliese and Paul were startled. They had not seen the approach of the stocky, heavy faced man in evening dress. She looked at Paul questioningly and was surprised at the obvious flush of color in his pale face. He shoved back his chair and rose stiffly erect, almost at military attention. “Guten abend, Kapitan! Ja, Ich bin—” “I think it more courteous to your young lady here, if we speak English, Lieutenant.”
Paul flushed again at the rebuke. “Yes, thank you sir. The dinner was excellent, sir.”
“And the lady who also considers it excellent, speaks very good German, sir,” Annaliese interjected.
The man addressed as Captain returned this declaration with an amused smile. “My error, Miss—”he said, looking questioningly at Paul.
“Oh, sir, allow me to present my friend, Miss Annaliese Faver. Liese, this is my superior, Captain Karl Boy-Ed. He is the new Naval Attaché assigned to the German Embassy. Sir, Annaliese is the Washington bureau chief of the Brooklyn Tagblatt.”
Annaliese extended her ungloved right hand to Captain Boy-Ed with a tight smile. “Please accept my own welcome to Washington , Captain Boy-Ed.” His lips are a shade too thick. Still, there is a disturbing sensual quality about them.
He bent down taking her extended hand. My god, I think he is going to kiss it! But, instead of lightly placing his lips to the back of her hand, he turned it over and kissed her palm. His effrontery shocked her. While kissing her hand, he raised his eyes to hers, as if daring her to jerk her hand away. She returned his stare with a coldness that masked the disturbing sudden rush of warmth.
Karl Boy-Ed let go of her hand and stood upright with a smile that bordered on a smirk. “I hope you will concede me the privilege of an observation, Miss Faver. If you are typical of the women in this city, my tour here will be most enjoyable.”
Annaliese glanced at Paul, who made no comment. Turning back to the Naval Attache’, she said, “I think, Captain Boy-Ed, you would not find me in any way typical of the ladies of this city and I would be the least likely of all to make your tour of duty here enjoyable.”
He laughed. “Isn’t that something to be revealed later, Miss Faver?”
She angrily locked eyes with him, but the amused conceit in his caused her to look away.
Turning to Paul, Karl Boy-Ed became suddenly formal. “Lieutenant Dohrman, I have no desire to spoil your evening,but I could use your assistance back at the Chancellery in about an hour.”
Annaliese was mortified by the way Paul snapped slavishly to attention and damn if he didn’t click his heels. “Jawhol Kapitan! I shall report, immediately I escort Miss Faver to her office.”
She thought Boy-Ed’s expression slightly contemptuous, when he nodded in response, but kept his eyes upon her.
“In that case, Miss Faver, I bid you good night and trust that I shall have the pleasure of your company in the near future.” Not likely, Captain Boy-Ed, if I have anything to say about it. You are not only a lecher but also a bully. “Goodnight, Captain Boy-Ed,” she said evenly.
He nodded with that same amused smile and, without a glance at Paul Dohrman, walked quickly away.
“Paul, I don’t think I like your Captain Boy-Ed.”
7
BILL, WHAT ARE YOU TRYING to say?” Seth stood in the hallway of Congressman William H. Murray’s apartment at 1416 Munroe Street, his overcoat half-removed.
Bill Murray reached around and took Seth’s coat off and hung it up on the coat stand, along with his Stetson. At the coat stand, he looked at Seth out of the corner of his eyes and replied, “Damnit, I’m sorry as hell Seth. Just as I tried to say, Bolivia is just going to have to be postponed for a spell.”
Seth stared at him, dumbfounded. “I reckon you’re going to have to explain that statement, even though it’s a bit late in the game, don’t you think? My boat sails on Thursday.”
His friend gestured toward the living room. “I will explain, but first, calm down. Alice made us some little cakes to go with our tea. All I have to do is light a fire under the kettle. It will warm you up a bit—danged airish out there tonight.” He’s stalling for some reason.
“Nothing, thank you. Now, sit down, Bill, and tell me what is going on.”
“Slow it down to a walk, son. There is a damn good reason why I mentioned postponement of our plans. The simple fact is, I am flat ass out of the necessary funds. The financing I counted on to underwrite our—your trip just didn’t come through. You know how mule-stubborn banks can be. I am already in to them for my election and the move here to Washington. I just didn’t figure how much it was going to cost me and the family to settle down in this town. Besides, we distinguished new lawmakers won’t be paid a thin dime until we get on the payroll officially tomorrow and earn it for a month.”
Seth stared at his friend, who was o
bviously as contrite as Alfalfa Bill could be, and his growing anger evaporated. “It’s OK, Bill. I can understand that. Only, I wish you had let me know a shade earlier before I sold my practice and home, cutting my ties to Pawhuska.”
Bill shook his head, “I’m sorry about that. I tried wiring you but your secretary, Miss Kelly, replied you had hauled stakes for Washington the week before.”
“Yes, I admit I treated Ginny to some time in New York before I brought her here to school.”
“I only found out about my sorry state of finances a little while ago and as soon as I got the bank turn down for additional funds, I sent you the wire. I just wish I could figure a way to go on and send you down to Bolivia. I’ve racked my poor brain and come up with a big zero.”
“Bill, forget it.”
“Don’t suppose you could go ahead and handle it out of your pocket for a couple of months and maybe by then—”
“Reckon not.” He didn’t have to do much reckoning. After his and Ginny’s expensive visit to New York and the cost of the train fares, he barely had enough for his fare back home. He was thankful that he had been required to put up only a fifty dollar deposit towards his passage fare to the steamship lines, expecting to get the full passage money from Bill. Hopefully the deposit would be refundable.
Both men sat in awkward and embarrassed silence, trying to cope with this disaster to their plans. Suddenly, a shrewd look crossed the face of the Oklahoma Congressman.
“Think maybe we could wire that rich brother of yours and interest him in an investment in our Bolivia project? After all, he’s a big cattle rancher and could most likely see the possibilities of ranching down there.”
“No! I wouldn’t want to do that,” Seth said firmly. “If Zack was in on it, I wouldn’t want a damn thing to do with it.”
“So it’s still that way between the two of you?”
“Yes—always will be.”
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